The Ghana Education Service (GES) has condemned the gang-rapping of a female student and stabbing of a male student in separate incidents connected to an inter-schools sports competition in the Eastern region.
The Service’s condemnation follows its confirmation of the incidents that occurred in Koforidua last week, saying authorities have mounted a manhunt for a former student who has been described as the ringleader.
According to a statement issued by the GES on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, it had “received reports of serious misconducts involving students” and acted quickly to address it.
The statement said the events occurred during or adjacent the Super Zonal Sports Competition held between February 4 to 6, 2026, in the Eastern regional capital, Koforidua.
“The reported incidents include a stabbing and an alleged gang-rape. Management condemns these acts in the strongest terms and emphasises that such behaviour has no place within the Ghana Education Service,” portions of the release stated.
The stabbing victim, according to the statement, is a student of the Koforidua Senior High Technical School.
“The victim was allegedly attacked by students of New Juaben Senior High School,” the GES reported, adding that the incident occurred approximately 200 metres from the competition venue while the student had gone out to have lunch with a friend. One suspect has been arrested in connection with that attack.
Also, a female student of Osino Senior High School, per the statement, was allegedly ganged-raped in a bush closer to the competition venue.
“The reports further indicate that a female student of Osinu Senior High School was allegedly raped in a bush at some distance from the competition grounds,” said the statement.
Two students have since been arrested in connection with the rape case and are currently in police custody, while a third suspect remains at large and currently being searched by the police.
The GES identified him as “the alleged ringleader and an old student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School.”
In the meantime, the female student “has received medical attention and has since been discharged from the hospital. She is being provided with counselling and psychosocial support by the Regional Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, the Head of the Girls’ Education Unit, and officers of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit.” The stabbing victim has also been discharged after receiving care.
The Service said the incidents defeat the purpose of inter-schools sports competitions, explaining that such events are meant for “nurturing talent, promoting discipline, teamwork, and unity among students.”
It warned that all culprits “will be taken through due process and, when found guilty, will be dealt with accordingly.” The Regional Director of Education has been directed to apply sanctions to the schools involved “to serve as a deterrent” to others.
The statement concluded by urging stakeholders to “remain calm and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies as investigations continue.”
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